5 days in Guilin 桂林

Karst peaks and the Li River — the landscape on the ¥20 note.

By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026

The plan

One headline sight a day, with the evening left for food. Crossing a Chinese city takes longer than the map suggests; this plan does not pretend otherwise.

  1. Day 1

    Li River cruise to Yangshuo

    Eat: Guilin rice noodles

  2. Day 2

    Longji Rice Terraces

    Eat: Beer fish

  3. Day 3

    Reed Flute Cave

    Eat: Lipu taro duck

  4. Day 4

    Elephant Trunk Hill

    Eat: Oil tea

  5. Day 5

    Xingping village

    Eat: Stuffed river snails

Where to stay

Guilin has no metro. Stay in the central old town or a hotel on a main road where DiDi can stop, and agree the meter with a street taxi.

Getting there

Guilin North to Guangzhou 2h30 and to Guiyang 2h; Yangshuo has its own station 40 min away.

The main airport is Liangjiang International (KWL).

When to go

The most comfortable months are April, May, September, October. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period.

  1. January — not a peak month
  2. February — not a peak month
  3. March — not a peak month
  4. April — recommended
  5. May — recommended
  6. June — not a peak month
  7. July — not a peak month
  8. August — not a peak month
  9. September — recommended
  10. October — recommended
  11. November — not a peak month
  12. December — not a peak month

What it costs

Per person per day, excluding flights. Multiply by 5 for this trip.

Daily budget tiers for Guilin
TierDailySleepingEating
Budget¥300–500Hostel dorm or simple guesthouseStreet breakfast, noodle shops
Mid-range¥800–1,5003–4★ hotel near a metroSit-down restaurants, one splurge
Comfort¥2,500+5★ or boutique courtyard hotelFine dining and tasting menus

Questions people ask

Is 5 days enough for Guilin?

Yes. The city page budgets 3 nights, so 5 days leaves room for one headline sight a day plus a slower neighbourhood or food afternoon.

When is the best time to visit Guilin?

The most comfortable months are April, May, September, October. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period unless your dates are fixed.

How do I get to Guilin?

Guilin North to Guangzhou 2h30 and to Guiyang 2h; Yangshuo has its own station 40 min away. The main airport is Liangjiang International (KWL).

What should I budget for 5 days?

Excluding flights: budget ¥300–500, mid-range ¥800–1,500, comfort ¥2,500+ per person per day. Multiply the daily figure by 5; hotels drive the difference more than food.

Do I need a visa?

Visa policy is national, not city-level. Check your passport against the current visa-free and transit routes before booking.